New generation eligible to vote

Originally posted March 31, 2007

Vivien, Kevin, Elizabeth will choose next president

This month saw Vivien and Kevin both turn 18, reminding us all of that remarkable week in 1989 when they were born two days apart.

To some of us, the fact that 1989 was 18 years ago comes as a shock. At least as shocking is the realization that people born in 1989 (and even 1990) will be voting in our next presidential election.

There's no doubt 1989 was an important year, as it was also the year Julie and Dan were married. Vivien and Kevin were in attendance, though it's doubtful they recall. Julie's brother

Doug and sister-in-law Lisa were expectant parents at the time; Elizabeth was born Oct. 30 of that year.

So here's to three of the people who will have the chance to affect the fate of our nation nineteen months from now: Vivien, Kevin and Elizabeth.

I I I

Vivien marked her 18th birthday on March 28, but barely had time to celebrate. She headed early the next morning to Washington, D.C. as leader of a 14-person delegation to a Model United Nations Conference at George Washington University.

Vivien is president of the Model UN Club at the School of the Holy Child in Rye. The conference had a packed schedule of committee meetings and other activities over a four-day period.

Vivien is one of the many family members looking forward to graduation in June. With her high school diploma from Holy Child she'll be heading to the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration in the fall.

I I I

Kevin's birthday was Friday, March 30. He's been busy wrapping up his last year at Iona Prep, where he is president of both the science fiction club and Gamers Republic, a club which focuses on computer games and programming. He and his friend, the VP of the club, have been working on their own computer game program which is currently being 'beta tested' online by other users.

Kevin hasn't made his final decision on which college he will be attending in the fall, but is sure he will be studying computer science. Among the options he's considering are Fordham, Manhattan and Manhattanville.

I I I

Elizabeth will be graduating from Towson High School and is looking at college choices including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Penn State University and the University of Maryland. She is planning to study architecture.